With little time left in the Sacred Valley, we couldn’t appreciate the overdone, overpriced feel of Pisac and quickly moved along to the markets and architecture of Cusco. I’d say the cold and altitude added to the charm of this bustling city that was once a trade capital of the Inca Empire.   Day Six (cont.) A very… Read More

After hiking over 40 miles in three days, we were all about the naps and gourmet breakfasts of Ollantaytambo. Stumbling into Munay Punku Bed and Breakfast was never part of the original itinerary, but we couldn’t  break away and indulged in an extra night.     Day Five The Argentines continued on to Cusco while the… Read More

Watching months of anticipation, uncertainty, and planning pay itself off  was dreamy. I’ll certainly look back to this day for the rest of my life. The following is the narrative component to the information outlined in my first Peru post.   Day Four 4:00am I was more than ready to jump out of bed after… Read More

Rather than take the outrageously priced train, we reached the town at the base of Machu Picchu via busses, taxis, and a little hiking. At all points of the journey, many other backpackers had the same intentions. For less stories and more facts, read this post.   Day Three After eliminating the spider that had… Read More

I had never encountered  a site quite like the chunky  terraces of brown, gold, and white Incan salt pans. This striking mountainside is located right outside the town of Maras, and currently produces cattle salt licks and souvenirs. We then hiked downhill to Urubamba, but I recommend spending the night in Ollantaytambo.   Day Two (cont.) For $3 a person… Read More

It seemed like everywhere I turned tourism agencies had overtaken the Sacred Valley. Chinchero was one of my favorite stops because it’s skipped by most yet offers the same activities as other villages. This means it’s more budget friendly, but more importantly, Chinchero had a superior market and less crowded ruins. I had stayed up all night attending yoga… Read More

A few internet searches quickly discourages a cheap backpacker or financially challenged college student from bothering to visit this Wonder of the World.  My goal here is to provide updated information so you don’t have to miss out on an unforgettable hike, regretting it until you one day return, something that is never guaranteed and always… Read More